Top Searches:

IIT-D holds DU’s first pride march

Students of Delhi University (DU) along with the gender fora of different DU colleges gathered together to support the first pride parade to take place in DU, which was part of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi’s (IIT-Delhi) annual cultural fest, Rendezvous.

Students of Delhi University (DU) along with the gender fora of different DU colleges gathered together to support the first pride parade to take place in DU, which was part of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi’s (IIT-Delhi) annual cultural fest, 'Rendezvous'. Pehchaan, the social awareness campaign by IIT, organized the march, titled ‘Out of Closet,’ on Monday, which began from St Stephen’s College. The event wasn’t without its share of drama, as a few members of the LGBTQ community tried to oppose it, but the march continued regardless, and ended at Hans Raj College’s rear gate.
‘We came running after classes’Multi-coloured ribbons, posters with messages like, ‘Love is about hearts and not parts’ and ‘Love is a human right,’ and dhols to keep the spirits high, marked the beginning of the walk. Amisha from Miranda House, who came with her friends, told us, "It is a great step by IIT-D. We all support the cause.” Anindita Sarkar from SRCC added, “It is still very difficult to come out of the closet in DU because there is always the fear of being judged. Maybe this is why this was organized by IIT-D and not DU. As this is the first pride parade in DU, we came running after our classes.” Avali Khare from the gender forum of Kirori Mal College, said, “It is really an encouraging step because the Delhi Queer Parade happens when DU students can’t participate because of exams."

A minor roadblock, quite literallyAs the walk started, it was interrupted by a few who apparently had a problem with the pride parade being “funded” and so didn’t want people to participate. Vikram Aditya Sahai, a professor from Ambedkar University, claimed, "Since this is part of IIT’s annual fest which is funded, it makes this event also funded. We don’t want this parade to be a funded event." The students tried to reason with them saying that this was a pre-event and part of their social awareness campaign, and no money was taken from sponsors, but they refused to budge.

Vikram Aditya Sahai, an Ambedkar University professor, lay down on the road to protest against the march, which then just walked around him (BCCL)

The students decided to ignore them and continued walking, but near Hans Raj, the professor apparently decided that something more drastic was needed to stop the parade, and lay down in its way. But it didn’t have the intended effect as the parade walked around him and went on with its business. "This is a Rendezvous event, its poster had a cycle brand’s name on it, so we discussed in the queer community ki hona chahiye ki nahi hona chahiye. The pride walk has to be democratic, and it can’t be a funded event."

DU’s first: The march began from St Stephen’s and ended at Hans Raj (BCCL)

‘Don’t force people to come out’As the walk concluded, a flash mob on the song Wavin’ Flag was performed by the students of IIT-D. Speakers who came to support the cause also spoke about the problems that one faces if one decides to come out. Sharif D Rangnekar, a lyricist and LGBTQ activist, said, "In our time, we had no groups like these to look forward to. Today, we supported what we thought was right. You cannot lie about who you are.”

Sukhdeep Singh, editor of an LGBTQ magazine, said, "Coming out is really difficult for some people. When someone tells you that they are gay, you should not keep on asking them, ‘Are you gay? Are you gay?’ One should not force anyone to come out either because people fear rejection." Anwesh Sahoo, the current Mr Gay India and also a student of Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, was also a guest speaker, and he danced to dhol beats throughout the walk.

A flash mob was also performed by the students of IIT-D (BCCL)

The message 'Love is about hearts and not parts' could be seen and (R) Sharif D Rangnekar, lyricist and LGBTQ activist (BCCL)

All Comments ()+^ Back to Top

Characters Remaining: 3000

Continue without login

or

Login from existing account

FacebookGoogleEmail

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.